Senate debates

Thursday, 5 March 2026

Motions

Freedom of Speech

5:26 pm

Photo of Dean SmithDean Smith (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

In the short time that is available to me, I'd like to thank Senator Bell for his contribution, because there's actually a lot in that to reflect and comment on. There are two words that Senator Bell used which I think are very important to amplify. The first is 'responsibilities' and the second is 'carefulness'. Our freedoms and rights in this country are to be exercised responsibly, and, when people get aggrieved about the expressions of freedoms and rights, it's often because people choose to express them with irresponsibility.

The other is the matter of carefulness. When it comes to legislative change and when it comes to constitutional reform, we must always act with abundant care and caution. That is the Edmund Burke in me.

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